How to Make a Fitted Cloth Diaper With Snaps

These instructions explain how to make a fitted cloth diaper.

Here is a list of what you need:

1. Fabric for the diaper- Fannel or Fleece works great

2. Fabric for the soaker- I use Terry Cloth, you can also use a cotton prefold diaper or an old towel.

3. Elastic- I prefer 3/8 inch thick

4. Cloth Diaper Template- I found a few templates online that I like

5. a soaker pattern- My pattern is a piece of paper cut 4 1/2 in x 11 1/2 in

5. Scissors

6. Sewing Machine with thread

7. Snaps and snap hand tool

8. Pen or a fabric pen

9. Ruler

10. Pins

11. Iron

12. one paper clip

13. Bodkin

Step 1: Step 1: Templates

Your first step is cutting out your template. I chose a OS (one size fits all) template. I got my pattern from online. Some people trace a commercial diaper and then modify to their liking.

You also want a soaker template. For this template I took a piece of paper and cut it to fit the measurements, 4 1/2 inches X 11 1/2 inches.

Please note that if you chose a different diaper template size then your soaker template may change in size.

Step 2: Step 2: Iron

Iron the flannel and terry cloth fabrics.

Step 3: Step 3: Cut Flannel

Cut two pieces of your diaper fabric. I use flannel. I do use two different color flannels. I use a plain color for the inside of the diaper and a cute pattern for the outside of the diaper. I do this to save money. The patterned fabrics cost more than the plain colors. You can use the same color flannel for both pieces if you wish.

Hint: it is easier to cut your diaper if you trace the template on the fabric. Pin the two pieces of fabric together and then cut the fabric, this way they two pieces match each other.

Step 4: Step 4: Cut Soaker

You are also going to cut your soaker. Two pieces of terry cloth.

Step 5: Step 5: Snaps

Time to place the snaps on the front of the diaper.

Place the outer print fabric right side up.

Mark on the outside layer of your diaper where the snaps are going to be placed.

Use snap pliers to apply snaps in marked positions across waist.

Step 6: Step 6: Sew Terry Cloth

Take the two pieces of terry cloth for the soaker and sew them together with a zig-zag stitch all the way around the edges.

Step 7: Step 7: Sew Terry Cloth to Flannel

Take the inside piece of the flannel and put the terry cloth evenly in the middle. Pin down the terry cloth to the flannel.

Sew the terry cloth to the flannel.

Step 8: Step 8: Match Flannels

Take the inside piece of flannel with the terry cloth sewn to it and lay it terry cloth side down.

Match up the outside flannel by placing the piece on top with the inside facing up.

Pin the two pieces together.

Step 9: Step 9: Sew Flannels Together

Sew a single line stitch all around the edge of the diaper. Leaving an opening 4 inches wide at the front of the diaper near the snaps.

Step 10: Step 10: Cased Elastic

I do my cased elastic different than the traditional way because I always accidentally stitch over the elastic. So if you are good at stitching elastic the traditional way go ahead and you that method if you wish. If not hopefully this way will work for you.

Turn your diaper right side out with the pattern side facing up.

On the template it will have markings for where the elastic will be placed.

Mark on the diaper ½ inch in from where the elastic shows it would be tacked down. (Use your template for reference)

Make sure to mark for both sides on the diaper and the back of the diaper.

Step 11: Step 11: Sew Straight Line for Casting

Using a 3/8 inch elastic you will need to sew a line 1/2 inch away from the edge between the two lines you marked on your diaper.

Make sure to sew a line on all three sides the elastic will go.

Step 12: Step 12: Identify Casing

Turn your diaper inside out.

Now you will see a little pocket where you just sewed. That is your casing.

Step 13: Step 13: Bodkin

Take your bodkin and feed it in the pocket you just made. So your bodkin is sticking out of both sides.

Take your elastic. (A good estimator for the length of the elastic is half of the length of where you marked the diaper. plus add half an inch to each side.)

Step 14: Step 14: Elastic Through Bodkin

Feed your elastic throw the eye of the bodkin.

Step 15: Step 15: Elastic in Casing

Feed your bodkin with the elastic back throw the casing. It’s good to pin the end of the elastic as your pulling it throw so you don't lose the elastic inside the casing.

Step 16: Step 16: Pin Elastic

Take one end of your casing and elastic and make sure the elastic is pinned 1/2 inch outside of the casing so that you can sew it down.

If you would like extra help holding back the elastic from bunching up you can use a small paper clip and place it to hold back the elastic from bunching where you are about to sew a line.